Sony Pictures' "MONEYBALL" makes its world premiere Friday night at the Toronto Int'l Film Festival, ahead of its general release in the U.S. on Sept. 23, and "depending on one's viewpoint, the rollout caps a feel-good underdog story that could have been lifted straight from the movie or offers a glimpse into what can nearly doom a film even with the shiniest pedigree," according to Steven Zeitchik of the L.A. TIMES. Whether the film, an adaptation of MICHAEL LEWIS' book, "succeeds at the box office or appeals to Academy Awards voters remains to be seen, but one aspect of the film has already achieved an Oscar-worthy level of drama.” BRAD PITT, who stars in the film as A's GM BILLY BEANE said, “I think the making of the movie is just as interesting as the movie itself.” Sources familiar with "Moneyball" contend that a "colorful picture emerges, filled with big personalities and clashing visions” (L.A. TIMES, 9/9). The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER's Kirk Honeycutt wrote "Moneyball" looks "good perhaps not for a home run but certainly a long double or even an exciting scoot around the bases for a head-first triple.” The movie "does achieve something nearly impossible: Someone who doesn't even like the sport may care" about Beane and the A's. Overseas markets are "probably a wash, however, except in baseball countries such as Japan or certain Latin American nations” (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 9/8). DAILY VARIETY’s Peter Debruge wrote, “Throwing the conventional sports-movie formula a curve, ‘Moneyball’ defies the logic that auds need a rousing third-act championship to clinch their interest. ... Sparing auds the technicalities but not the spirit of financial reporter Michael Lewis’ business-of-baseball bestsellter, ‘Moneyball’ should appeal well beyond -- if not always to -- the game’s fans” (VARIETY.com, 9/8).